Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 May 2022
158. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 54 of 8 March 2022, his Department’s plans for the continuing development of Local Training Initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25350/22]
View answer173. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department is considering measures to improve the career pathways and ensure the continuity of contract for staff working within Local Training Initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25351/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 173 together.
The 2022 provision of €16.83m approved by SOLAS for Local Training Initiatives (LTI) in response to ETB requests, is broadly in line with the €16.53m approved for 2021. This funding is expected to support almost 4,500 LTI beneficiaries and will be reviewed during the year.
Training provision organised through LTI programmes is not intended to be permanent, and it is this aspect that provides ETBs with the flexibility to use their resources in the community effectively and in response to emerging needs. LTI programmes enable local communities to carry-out valuable and necessary projects of benefit in their communities and they are primarily designed for unemployed people, who are experiencing difficulty in gaining entry to the labour market. The importance of the role played by the LTI programme within its overall ETB provision is well-recognised.
LTI programmes are carried out in the local community run by local community groups and associations. Staff delivering courses are typically employed by the relevant community group or association and the terms and conditions approved for Local Training Initiative (LTI) co-ordinators is a matter for their employers. As such my Department has no role in relation to the career pathways for staff within LTIs.
